We design, build and fit conservatories in Merton Park for homeowners who want an extra room full of light that they can use all year. You get a conservatory made to suit your house and garden, built by our own team and backed by a 10-year guarantee.
This page looks at conservatories for homes in Merton Park in particular: the planning rules you may meet here, the styles that suit local houses and what drives the cost. For the full range, see our main conservatories page. For windows, doors and other work in the area, go back to our Merton Park glazing page.
Conservatories in Merton Park: what we see locally
- Planning: The John Innes Merton Park conservation area has Article 4 directions, so changes to windows and doors facing the street need planning permission. Original casement and leaded designs are expected to be kept. Building control for this area is handled by Merton Council.
- Close to: St Mary's Church, Merton Park
If your home sits in one of the conservation areas above, talk to us before you settle on a design. Some styles and materials are easier to get approved than others.
Which Conservatory Style Suits Your Home?
The right style depends on the age of your house, the space you have and how you plan to use the room. These are the main types we build.
- Lean-to: a simple, sloped roof that runs off the back wall. It suits bungalows, terraces and narrow gardens, where there is not much height under the first-floor windows.
- Victorian: a faceted, rounded front with a steep roof and ornate ridge. It suits period homes and gives a classic look.
- Edwardian: a square or oblong plan with a pitched roof. It makes the best use of floor space, so furniture fits with ease.
- Gable end: the front rises to a tall, upright point, which gives more headroom and lets in lots of light.
- P-shape and T-shape: mixed designs for larger homes, where one part can be a lounge and one a dining space.
Our lean-to conservatory page explains more about the simplest and most budget-friendly style.
Conservatory or Orangery?
An orangery sits between a conservatory and a brick extension. It has more brick piers, a solid edge to the roof and a glass lantern in the middle. Inside, it feels more like a normal room, with a plastered ceiling round the edge.
An orangery is easier to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. It also tends to sit well beside older brick homes. The trade-off is less glass, so a little less light, and a higher build cost. Read our orangery page to compare the two in more detail.
Roofs, Frames and Glass
The roof has the biggest effect on comfort. We offer three main types:
- Glass roof: the most light. We use self-cleaning, solar control glass to cut glare and heat build-up.
- Solid tiled roof: a warm, insulated roof with a plastered ceiling. It keeps the room cooler in summer and quieter in the rain.
- Hybrid roof: solid panels with glass sections or a lantern, for a mix of light and comfort.
Frames come in uPVC, aluminium or timber. uPVC is the most common and needs little care. Aluminium gives slimmer frames and more glass. Timber suits listed homes and period streets, but needs painting from time to time.
All our wall glass uses double glazed units with low-E coating, argon gas and warm-edge spacers. Glass in doors, and any pane below 800mm from the floor, is toughened safety glass.
Planning Permission and Building Regulations
Many conservatories can be built without planning consent, under permitted development. The main limits for the back of a house are:
- Up to 3 metres deep on a semi-detached or terraced house, or 4 metres on a detached house.
- No higher than 4 metres in total.
- Eaves no higher than 3 metres if within 2 metres of a boundary.
- It must not cover more than half the garden around the house.
The rules are tighter in a conservation area or on a listed building. Side extensions and some materials may then need full consent. Flats and maisonettes have no permitted development rights for this kind of work.
A conservatory is often exempt from Building Regulations. To be exempt, it must be under 30 square metres, built at ground level and split from the house by an outside-grade door or wall. It also needs its own heating controls. If you want to knock through and make it part of the house, it then needs full sign-off. Here is a simple checklist:
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Planning | Confirm if permitted development applies |
| Building regs | Agree route: FENSA or local authority sign-off |
| Heritage | Get written advice from the conservation officer |
Keeping the Room Comfortable All Year
A conservatory should be a room you use in January and in July. These are the things that make the most difference:
- Roof choice: a solid or hybrid roof keeps the heat stable.
- Roof vents: let warm air out on hot days, and can open by themselves when the room gets warm.
- Insulated dwarf walls and floor: stop cold coming up from the ground.
- Blinds: roof blinds cut glare and protect your furniture from fading.
- Heating: a radiator with its own valve, or electric underfloor heating, keeps the space warm without heating the whole house.
What Drives the Cost of a Conservatory
We do not list fixed prices, because every home and garden is different. These are the main factors that set the cost:
- Size and style: a small lean-to costs less than a large P-shape or orangery.
- Roof type: a tiled or hybrid roof costs more than glass, but makes the room easier to use.
- Frame: aluminium and timber cost more than uPVC.
- Base and ground work: sloping gardens, drains in the way or poor soil add to the dig.
- Finishes: flooring, heating, power and lights.
- Planning: drawings and fees where consent is needed.
After a free survey, you get a written, fixed quote. It lists the base, frame, roof and finishes, and sets out the payment stages. You can book your free survey here.
Our full process, from the survey to aftercare, is set out on our how we work page. In short, we design, lay the base, build the frame and roof, then fit the finishes and hand over your papers.
Looking After Your Conservatory
A little care keeps the room looking good and the roof sealed. Twice a year:
- Clear leaves from the gutters and roof.
- Wash the frames with warm, soapy water. Avoid harsh or scratchy cleaners.
- Spray the locks and hinges with a light oil.
- Check the seals and flashing where the roof meets the house wall.
If you see damp, a leak or mist inside a glass unit, call us. These are easier to fix early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a conservatory be turned into a habitable room later?
Yes, and many people do this. It often means swapping a glass roof for an insulated solid roof, and removing the door between the house and the conservatory. Once it is part of the house, it needs full Building Regulations sign-off for heat loss, structure and fire. We can manage the whole process and liaise with Merton Council for you.
Do pets and plants cope well in a conservatory?
Yes, if you plan for heat and light. Pets can get too warm on a sunny day, so roof vents and blinds matter. Solar control glass cuts glare and heat build-up. For plants, clear glass on the side walls lets in plenty of light, while the coated roof stops leaves from scorching in mid-summer.
How noisy is a conservatory in heavy rain?
A glass or polycarbonate roof can be loud in a downpour. Thicker glass units cut the noise a great deal. A solid tiled roof, with insulation and a plastered ceiling, is the quietest choice. A hybrid roof sits in the middle. If you plan to use the room as an office or bedroom, we suggest a solid or hybrid roof.
Can we add solar panels or outside shading to the roof?
Solar panels need a solid roof built to take the extra weight. Few glass roofs can carry them. Outside awnings and shades can be fixed to the house wall or frame, and they cut heat well in summer. Plan these at the survey, so we can add the right fixings and supports before the roof goes on.
Will a conservatory affect your home insurance?
It may. A new room adds to the rebuild cost, so tell your insurer once the work is done. Most will want to know about the locks and safety glass. Our multi-point locks and beaded glass meet the usual insurer needs. Keep your FENSA certificate and guarantee papers safe, as your insurer may ask for them.